The Environmental Impact Study for the 2-kilometer extension of the Metro to Tocumen Airport's passenger terminal has been approved and the publication of the tender rules for the adjudication of the work with an estimated amount of $125 million was announced.
The director of Metro de Panama, Robert Roy, announced that at the end of November or the beginning of December, the tender documents will be published for the works on the extension of Line 2 up to the passenger terminal at Tocumen.
The government plans to analyze the feasibility of building a light rail line which would connect line 3 with other provinces, in a first stage to Penonomé, a second to Santiago and a third to David, Chiriqui.
In a statement on Presidencia.gob.pa, it is indicated that "... along with the construction of Metro Line 3 to the sector of West Panama, the administration has scheduled the feasibility studies necessary for the construction of a Light Rail line to connect Line 3 with the rest of the country, through a first tranche to Penonomé, a second to Santiago and a third stretch to David, Chiriqui.
An environmental impact study has been presented for the design and construction of the fourth bridge over the Panama Canal, connecting the East and West sectors and in turn Metro Line 3. with an initial cost of $1 billion.
The government of Panama has presented an environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the design and construction of a fourth bridge over the Canal, which will connect the areas of Arraijan and La Chorrera, in the west, to Panama City, via the Pacific Canal sector.
The conceptual advantage that is raising the country above its Central American neighbors is demonstrated by the implementation of the project for Line 3 of the Panama Metro between Albrook and Ciudad del Futuro.
EDITORIAL
The presentation of the environmental impact study for Line 3 of the Panama Metro, funded by the International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and prepared by URS HOLDINGS is a clear sign of the will of Panamanians to continue strengthening the foundations of economic and social development through the construction of communication routes, which is in keeping with what is clearly taught by the history of mankind: communication generates progress.
The CAF (Development Bank of Latin America), announced the approval of an additional credit line of $100 million for work on the Metro.
With the new loan, CAF's participation in the project rose to $500 million, or 27% of the total costs of the works.
The chief executive of the CAF, Enrique Garcia, during a visit to the construction of the Metro said, "High-tech projects require large investment resources.
Because of the difficulties caused by works on the Metro and the road realignment plan, containers with goods are not arriving in time to their destinations.
According to Hector Nunez, president of the Association of Freight Transportation in Panama (Atracapa), "for each late delivery carriers must pay a fine to the ports and shipping companies. When the goods are coming with cooling, the penalty is $75, while for other containers it is $50 per day.
Infrastructure Project Will Ease Traffic Congestion in Capital City, Reduce Travel Times, Increase Access from Outskirts.
The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA)--the political risk insurance arm of the World Bank Group--today announced it is supporting the government of Panama's efforts to construct a modern and integrated mass-transit system as a solution to Panama City's urban transportation issues.
Before the end of 2012 authorities will put out to tender the building that will house the Operations Center, from where the subway will be controlled.
An article in Pa-digital.com reports that "The engineer Roberto Roy, secretary of Metro, said that these structures will be located in the area known as "patios y talleres" located in Albrook. This is the place where trains will go from 12:00 pm until 4:30 am to be cleaned and maintained overnight.
Local companies will vie for the construction of train yards and workshops, to be put out to tender during 2012.
The main contract for construction of the Panama City Metro international tender was awarded to the consortium Línea Uno, made up of Brazil's Odebrecht and the FCC, a contract worth $1.452 billion.
An article in Prensa.com provides an update on relevant aspects of the work and progress of the construction.
They are CIMA, “Línea 1”, SNC Lavalín International Inc, “Grupo Italiano Metro Panamá”, Panametro, “Metro de Panamá”, and “PTY Metro”.
These companies will go through a prequalification process, and on March 8th authorities will announce the names of those selected to participate in the public bidding process for building the Metro system.
The formal call for bids is planned for March 18, 2010, while the winning consortium will be announced on July 5.
The first line of the system will run for 14.5 kilometers, and will require an investment of $1 billion.
Authorities also unveiled the Metro's logo, which consists of a blue circle with white horizontal bars, in addition to the label "Metro de Panamá".
"Juan Carlos Varela, Panamanian vice president, informed on the line's length and cost, but didn't give details on which sectors of the city it will cover", reported Prensa.com.
The Metro Secretary is looking for the project's main adviser, and for that it is preparing a technical cooperation agreement with the IDB and the CAF.
Such agreement will outline a process for choosing a head adviser for the project, who will develop, in conjunction with the Metro Secretary, the bidding basis for the construction of the metro.
"Several consortiums, among them consultants, contractors and train manufacturers have already approached the Metro Secretary, expressing their interest. The formal bidding invitation for the head adviser could be done in the next days", reported newspaper La Estrella.